 |
|
Mesothelioma: A Killer
Lurks in the Lungs |
|
 |
Mesothelioma & Asbestos News Page
Home Page
SES headquarters is `dangerous'
By JULIE McNAMARA
September 30, 2004
LEAKY roofs, faulty electrical wiring and asbestos roofs are endangering the lives of volunteers at Warrnambool's State Emergency Service unit, the state Opposition said yesterday.
Member for South-West Coast Denis Napthine and Opposition police and emergency spokesman Kim Wells visited the unit yesterday and labelled it a disgrace.
"I've been to a heap of SES buildings across the state and this is by far the worst and I don't understand why no action has been taken by the State Government," Mr Wells said.
Mr Wells said rain falling on electrical wires threatened the unit's 26 volunteers with electrocution and that he was very concerned by cracks in the asbestos roof.
Deputy controller of the Warrnambool unit, Scott Harlock, said the unit had been rallying for an upgrade for a decade but had only received minimal improvements in that time.
Other problems identified by the state Opposition were: severe rust to the unit's general purpose rescue truck; roller doors too low to fit new trucks through; and insufficient water pressure.
Dr Napthine said pleas for improvements had fallen on deaf ears.
"The Rural Ambulance Victoria's Warrnambool branch also needs a new base and we have been awaiting the Government's decision on the WestVic Community Rescue Helicopter for so long now it's not funny."
Dr Napthine said he believed the solution was to create an emergency service precinct to incorporate a new home for the SES, ambulance service and the rescue helicopter on one site.
Spokesman for Police and Emergency Services Minister Andre Haermeyer, George Svigos, said the SES building was the responsibility of Warrnambool City Council.
"The Government has long believed that Warrnambool SES requires new headquarters and calls on the council to provide new headquarters," Mr Svigos said.
"Denis Napthine is fully aware that it is a council responsibility to provide SES headquarters."
Comment from Warrnambool City Council was unavailable last night.
Back to Original Article on Mesothelioma
|
